Aurora has faced many challenges in her life. In 1974, Aurora was hit by a car while walking. The injuries she sustained were severe—she broke her tibia and fibula of one leg. Her lacerations were so deep and wide, at the time, the doctors felt she needed to have her leg amputated. Thankfully Aurora’s family protested and she opted for a cast, to heal the broken bones, although she was still told she would never walk again.

Her rehab following this horrific accident left her in a wheelchair until she was able to switch to crutches once she gained some strength. Because of the cast, Aurora was not able to bend her leg and her pain was nonstop.

Her leg finally healed but Aurora’s roadblocks didn’t stop there. Aurora has flat feet, and was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and tendonitis. She receives cortisone shots in her foot and her knee is drained to relieve some of the pressure. Her bad leg is shorter than the other. She is required to wear a shoe lift to allow some balance. It seemed as though Aurora was hit with one constant battle after another.

In December 1996, Aurora was introduced to the San Diego Marathon and 5-K through the community center where she works. Nearly a year after learning about the event, Aurora participated in her very first road race. She started walking the 5-K with a friend and took off running, leaving her friend in the dust. Aurora felt such a tremendous exhilaration from completing the 5-K that she asked to do the half-marathon the very next day, not even knowing what a half-marathon was at the time.

Since that day Aurora has been hooked. She went on to participate in 27 full marathons and 28 half-marathons. San Diego has a three-marathon series: Carlsbad Marathon, La Jolla Marathon, and America’s Finest City Marathon. If you participate in all three under a determined time, you receive a special “Triple Crown” medal. Aurora has triple crowned the past five years.

As of right now, Aurora is signed up for six half-marathons this year; she completed one last month. Aurora ran the Carlsbad Marathon on January 27, 2013. This was her 55th half/full marathon. Her 56th was on February 24 at the Women’s Half-Marathon. For the 15th year in a row, Aurora has signed up for the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon, which will be number 57. And the Silver Strand Half-Marathon will be amazing number 58.

Since Aurora works for a non-profit agency, funds are often very low. Aurora has made a positive spin on all of the races she has participated in by raising money for the community center. The funds provide transportation for the members of the center and also cover maintenance repairs. To date, Aurora has raised an unheard amount of $187,787.00 and funds are still rolling in from last month’s half-marathon.

Last fall, Aurora turned 70. Aurora completed the Carlsbad Half-Marathon in a time of 1:59:40. She placed first in her age division. I have been running for 16 years myself and I did my first half-marathon last October. I trained for weeks and was excited to finish at a time of 1:59:27. I’m only 39. She is 31 years older than me and only finished 13 seconds behind me.

Aurora barely stands 4’9" and because that she is known as “Li'l Giant” at her community center. But Aurora stands far much more than that. Did I also mention Aurora is blind and runs every race with her walking stick?

My husband and I had the honor of meeting Aurora last year when she came to our karate school to test for her black belt. Yes, Aurora has a black belt in ChunJiDo. If I did not know Aurora was blind, I never would have known it. Aurora sees with her heart.

I was excited when I learned she was a runner. As soon as I found out, she and I created a bond only runners know.

I live in the Midwest, full of hazy, hot, and humid conditions in the summer and extreme cold and snowy conditions in the winter. Any time I ever feel like my body cannot go one more step, I pull Aurora’s inspiration from deep within. We are distant runners, only separated by miles, but not by heart. Aurora is my running hero. My true Li'l Giant.

Nancy Cutrell has been a runner for 17 years. She is the founder of CJDivas and US Director of ChunJiDo International.

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